Structual Adaptations Minute hairs on the annuli- Earthworms have many small sections that make up their body. These segments are called 'annuli'. Each annuli have miniture hairs attached that earthworms use to move through the earth. They do this by insertng the hairs on the front half of the organism into the earth and pulling the back half foward then retracting the hairs and inserting the hairs on the bottom half of the organism and extending the front half foward.
Clitellum- All earthworms have a bump on their bodies about a third of the way down from its head. This bump is called the Clitellum. They clitellum releases mucus that covers the worms body and keeps it moist and prevents it from drying out. Earthworms do not have lungs. Instead they breath though their skin. The mucus and warm temperatures in which they live in helps earthworms absorb oxygen which is then released into the bloodstream.
Behavioral Adaptations
Come to the surface after it rains- Its is oftern mistaken that worms come above ground when it rains because the soil is flooded and they cant breathe. This is not true. Earthwroms generaly preffer the surface of the ground to underground and the moist environment allows them to roam about freely without the worry of drying out. Earthworms can actually withstand a substantial amount of time underwater as long as they can dissolve oxygen to breathe.
Come to surface to mate- Earthworms tend to mate after it has rained. This is because the soil is moist and there are many earthworms that come to the surface to enjoy the moist weather above ground and it makes a great opportunity for earthworms to find a parter and mate.
Physiological Adaptations The brain- Earthworms brains are very simple. They have no thought process, they simply dont need to have thoughts. The only use that an earthworms brain has is to detect light. This enables an earthworm to tell how far away or close it is to the surface of the ground. An earthworms brain is so simple that if it were removed there wouldnt be any real difference to the behavior of the earthworm. It may just delve deeper into the earth that usual or unknowingly burrow to the surface and die due to the dry weather and heat of the sun.
Habitat Lumbricus terrestris live in forrest and pastures. Most earthworms would prefer to live in clay soils but are not fussy about it. As long as soil is warm and moist Earthworms would most likely live there. Earthworms are common to many countries and are welcomed by farmers. Earthworms loosen up soil which makes growing crops a lot easier. They eat the soil and digest the impurities. The nutrience of their waste is left in the soil which also helps vegitation.
Common Earthworm
Taxonomy
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum- Annelida
Class- Clitellata
Sub-Class- Oligochaeta
Order- Haplotaxida
Family- Lumbricidae
Genus- Lumbricus
Species- terrestris
Structual Adaptations
Minute hairs on the annuli- Earthworms have many small sections that make up their body. These segments are called 'annuli'. Each annuli have miniture hairs attached that earthworms use to move through the earth. They do this by insertng the hairs on the front half of the organism into the earth and pulling the back half foward then retracting the hairs and inserting the hairs on the bottom half of the organism and extending the front half foward.
Clitellum- All earthworms have a bump on their bodies about a third of the way down from its head. This bump is called the Clitellum. They clitellum releases mucus that covers the worms body and keeps it moist and prevents it from drying out. Earthworms do not have lungs. Instead they breath though their skin. The mucus and warm temperatures in which they live in helps earthworms absorb oxygen which is then released into the bloodstream.
Behavioral Adaptations
Come to the surface after it rains- Its is oftern mistaken that worms come above ground when it rains because the soil is flooded and they cant breathe. This is not true. Earthwroms generaly preffer the surface of the ground to underground and the moist environment allows them to roam about freely without the worry of drying out. Earthworms can actually withstand a substantial amount of time underwater as long as they can dissolve oxygen to breathe.
Come to surface to mate- Earthworms tend to mate after it has rained. This is because the soil is moist and there are many earthworms that come to the surface to enjoy the moist weather above ground and it makes a great opportunity for earthworms to find a parter and mate.
Physiological Adaptations
The brain- Earthworms brains are very simple. They have no thought process, they simply dont need to have thoughts. The only use that an earthworms brain has is to detect light. This enables an earthworm to tell how far away or close it is to the surface of the ground. An earthworms brain is so simple that if it were removed there wouldnt be any real difference to the behavior of the earthworm. It may just delve deeper into the earth that usual or unknowingly burrow to the surface and die due to the dry weather and heat of the sun.
Habitat
Lumbricus terrestris live in forrest and pastures. Most earthworms would prefer to live in clay soils but are not fussy about it. As long as soil is warm and moist Earthworms would most likely live there. Earthworms are common to many countries and are welcomed by farmers. Earthworms loosen up soil which makes growing crops a lot easier. They eat the soil and digest the impurities. The nutrience of their waste is left in the soil which also helps vegitation.
Earthworm
Ancient Earhworm
Future Earthworm